Baptist Pastor endorses Govenor Romney despite calling Mormonism a cult

sermonindex Apr 20, 2012

It will be interesting to see how the Evangelical community responds to Govenor Romney. The vast majority of the Evangelical communinty consider Mormonism to be a cult and heretical. This Pastor, who seems to have a good handle on what Mormonism is, still calls for compromise and the lesser of two evils when voting this upcoming election. Should a Christian compromise, should a Christian settle for the lesser of two evils? Would the early church have survived with this attitude? What about the saints down through the centuries who refused to compromise and paid a heavy price for doing so? Does any of this equate? Here is the interview. The man interviewing him is a professed Christian with a Muslim background..................

http://video.msnbc.msn.com/martin-bashir/47090111/#47090111

sermonindex Apr 20, 2012

i feel what passes these days as politics is nothing but 'babylon' the spirit of babylon, and this spirit is unclean. its fell, dark, worships golden calves and idols, its carries the stench of empire, which is nothing but the hallmark of babylon, and yet we see these religious hirelings kissing the ring of the harlot, while the harlot confuses and concocts tales and 'enemies" meant to entrap the sheep of the God, in this sad, all too familiar, repeating rubric.

Such as was any empire, why should we be different or "exceptional"?...there will always be religious hirleings, or those who worship God in truth and spirit, why should those who hold fast share a different fate?

flee babylon, sell your cloak, buy a sword, hide Bibles.

C

ccchhhrrriiisss Apr 20, 2012

Without meandering into another needless debate about politics, I want to point out that I believe that very few Christians believe that they are voting for a "Christian." After all, they are simply voting for a "president" and not a "pastor."

And, contrary to what is often stated, many Christians (and voters in general) don't feel that they are "choosing the lesser of two evils." Rather, they feel that they are simply choosing the better choice of two candidates. When I chose to purchase a vehicle, I didn't think that I was choosing between the various "evil" choices. I simply tried to determine what was best for our family with the finite resources by which God has provided us.

Whether they vote for Reagan, Bush, Obama, Romney, a mayor or some other person, many believers don't feel that they are "compromising" simply by choosing who they think to be the better of two major candidates (or one of the many minor candidates). And, of course, many vote because of platform ISSUES and campaign "promises" rather than "for" a man (or the man's religious views).

That said: I will pray long and hard before I decide when and if to vote. I do the same thing when choosing many between many seemingly "unspiritual" decisions in this life (job, purchases, etc...) and this is just one more decision that will never come between the Lord and me.

sermonindex Apr 21, 2012

I think Martin Badhirs had a better understanding of the issue then the Baptist pastor. If the gospel transforms our life then we should be thinking with the mind if Christ. The gospel should transform our lives so that everything we do is rooted through the eyes of Christ.

I feel many will compromise their faith by voting for a Mormon. But then they are the ones who will have to live with their conscience. Also they will be the ones to bring reproach upon the name of Christ.

Best thing to do is pray for revival and stay out of the voting booth. Besides why ate we voting in political elections in this country if our citizenship is in another country, a heavenly one?

Bearmaster.

sermonindex Apr 21, 2012

chris, enjoy the food in babylon,very similar to the leeks and onions left behind in egypt.

sermonindex Apr 21, 2012

'Without meandering into another needless debate about politics, I want to point out that I believe that very few Christians believe that they are voting for a "Christian." After all, they are simply voting for a "president" and not a "pastor."....Ccchhhrrriiisss.

I agree. I had a recent conversation with a brother who was complaining about the choice between a Muslim or a Mormon this election. He said he could not vote for either. I remarked that to my knowledge, there hasn't been a Christian President in America in at least 120 years....maybe back as far as before the civil war. So, what is the difference between these, and any other unbeliever; naught.

God raises up, and sets down, according to His choosing. The Chinese church has prospered gloriously under the wicked, tyrannical oppression of totalitarian Socialism, and the Lord waits patiently for the precious FRUIT of the Earth; a Holy and devoted Bride. His methods and leaders aren't always the best choice for our prosperity and comfort though.

sermonindex Apr 21, 2012

Hi Chris,

It was the Baptist Pastor who said that it was a compromise and the lesser of two evils to vote for Romney, this thread is about what the Southern Baptist preacher of a mega church said. And the Southern Baptists are the largest denomination in the country. What interests me, is not the politics of it, but the compromise that Christians , and those who believe that there has been Christian Presidents ( I agree with brothertom on this point that there has not been) will make on Mormonism. It is, as Tozer said, the world influencing the church. Before this political season is over, we will be told that Mormonism is not really a cult at all but just another branch of Christianity, its called political expediency, compromise and the lesser of two evils principal which the Pastor on the video put forward in those very words.

"God raises up, and sets down, according to His choosing. The Chinese church has prospered gloriously under the wicked, tyrannical oppression of totalitarian Socialism, and the Lord waits patiently for the precious FRUIT of the Earth; a Holy and devoted Bride. His methods and leaders aren't always the best choice for our prosperity and comfort though." Amen to that thought......... bro Frank

sermonindex Apr 21, 2012

It doesn't appear that you'll be needing to get Obama out. His demise was planned from the beginning and back to 1994 we go in all likelihood, if one buzzes around this 2nd link for a while, one does get that feeling.

http://www.examiner.com/article/obama-officially-ineligible#ixzz1scKXcLa0

http://hillbuzz.org/bill-clinton-knew-obama-was-ineligible-32081

sermonindex Apr 21, 2012

HI Diane, not sure who you were talking about when you said about getting President Obama out. I really do not care, I believe, like Brothertom, that God has His own plans and He will bring them to pass. I am interested in how Christianity as a whole is doing and where it is heading.

Just for the record, I think President Obama will get a second term, barring some political or financial disaster..........bro Frank

sermonindex Apr 21, 2012

My Brother, that wasn't aimed at anyone here - it's just News that I felt goes along with 'any' talk of an election.

I felt to also add this verse to my post -

Isa 3:12 As for My people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over him. Oh My people, those leading you cause you to go astray, and they swallow the way of your paths.

Thanks for your prayers!

K

KingJimmy Apr 21, 2012

In a democratically elected republic, when you vote, you are casting your vote for the person you believe will best represent you. Voting for them doesn't mean you endorse everything that person is about. It just means of the candidates you have to choose from, you are electing the one whose vote would more likely represent what you'd vote for if given the option. That may be Romney, or that may be Obama. There is no compromise in this. It's just you saying "Well, if these are my only options... I pick that guy over there."

R

rbanks Apr 21, 2012

If you don't vote for either one does that mean you don't care who gets in and then the one who does get in actually got a vote from you because you didn't vote against him.

Just wondering...blessings from brother rbanks

K

KingJimmy Apr 21, 2012

Some people fool themselves into thinking because they didn't vote they somehow are not participating. Unfortunately people don't realize in our system of government is that you are born a participant, whether or not you vote. Our government is of, for, and by the people. In America, you are the government.

sermonindex Apr 21, 2012

"Some people fool themselves into thinking because they didn't vote they somehow are not participating."

Jimmy, if you want to be identified with the system of Governement by virtue of birth and believe that one has to participate in whatever of mans systems they are born into, thats fine, the issue on this thread is what Christians are going to say about Mormonism in the next six months and why.

You might want to start a new thread about why everyone should vote, it would be interesting to hear your thoughts on that...............bro Frank

M

Miccah Apr 21, 2012

I am voting. I am voting for my father in law for president. My convictions do not allow me to vote for either of the candidates presented (assuming Romney gets the nod).

C

ccchhhrrriiisss Apr 21, 2012

Hi Jimmy,

I agree that no one should use the "c" word in regard to your clear conscience in voting. I believe that it is no more "compromise" to choose between two men while voting than it is for choosing between two men to hire. You are simply selecting from a very small pool the person that you think is best for the job at this particular time.

Americans are not selecting a king, an emperor, a savior or even a pastor. They are simply selecting a temporary executive to administer 1/3 of the government (of the people by the people and for the people) for four years.

As for Romney's Mormon religion: From a Christian perspective, Romney's religion is just as corrupt, erroneous and pagan-inspired as the "Church" of Rome. It is just that it will fall under greater scrutiny from many Americans because it represents such a small segment of society. It will likely come under greater scrutiny than Roman pagan tradition...or even the Liberation Theology heresy.

However, as BrotherTom noted, Americans are not choosing a pastor, a Sunday School teacher, a Church elder or any other "spiritual" position. Americans are simply selecting a person to fill a role for four years. Yes, that role is extremely important in terms of the direction of the nation given the power of the position at this particular time in history.

America is not an empire and a president is not a king. Some believers feel the liberty to say (via a vote) which candidate that they think will do a better job. No one is "bowing" their knee to Baal (or a man). No one is eating the food of Babylon. No one is assuming that a flawed man will herald a revival -- even if such a man claimed to be a believer. A president is just an American who is chosen by a plurality of votes to fill the four-year role as a Chief Executive.

At the same time, some Americans can feel very strongly when they make such a decision. A friend called me the other day because a vocal homosexual activist was running for the school board in his district. My friend is usually non-political but felt strongly enough about this to exercise his voice via a vote.

I understand that there is some great concern about the dangers of becoming a part of this world's system by voting. However, I think that it is incorrect to assume that true believers who walk with God are in danger of idol worship because they vote.

As said earlier, we often make "secular" choices in life -- including the jobs that we take or the people that we hire. A person reminded me recently that some people take great care and consideration when deciding between babysitter candidates but lament when someone uses similar consideration when it comes to presidential candidates (whose decisions may impact their children more than any babysitter).

Each presidential election season seems to bring out many different types of debate. However, this is SermonIndex. Most of us are quite secure in our love for God and cherish our Savior more than anything. Most of us are hungry for more of Jesus and long to see others become as hungry for an intimate relationship with the Lord as the one that we long for. So, we shouldn't assume the worst in the brethren if they don't "see things" the same as we think we do. I don't have a problem when someone shares their views regarding any such matter. I just like to urge caution before we make "lump" assumptions.

In this case, I don't know any SermonIndex believers who would make excuses for the Mormon cult simply because they may feel that Romney is better for the job. Likewise, I don't think that people would make excuses for the Liberation Theology or Roman Catholic cultish religious systems either. Some of us are very much aware of the pagan teachings found in these sort of organizations. However, like you (Jimmy) said, some of us still feel that we can make a secular choice about a temporary governing executive without being given to such things.

The Lord bless you!

sermonindex Apr 21, 2012

All hijacking attepmts of threads aside with all and various subjects not raised, I wonder what Evangelicalcs will make of Mormonism in the next six months, will it cease to be a cult perhaps in an attempt to pivot from a previously held postion? Only time will tell. The people that have argued strongly for over 30 years, moral majority and so on, have to be in a genuine crisis as the strong postion was always that we must have a strong Christian in the Whitehouse and that this would be the salvation of America........... bro Frank

(deliberately ignoring the straw man " should we vote or not vote and stubbornly sticking to the subject at hand :)

M

MaryJane Apr 21, 2012

Greetings Frank

I was thinking over this topic as well. I wonder if now that Mr. Romney is about to become the opposing candidate how many of those on the right will promote him even though he is a Mormon. I wonder also if Mormonism itself will spill over even more then already has into being classified as a christian church even though it is not. Could this be a first step in the Mormon religion being accepted by evangelicals as a christian church??

You wrote:The people that have argued strongly for over 30 years, moral majority and so on, have to be in a genuine crisis as the strong postion was always that we must have a strong Christian in the Whitehouse and that this would be the salvation of America
__________

I was thinking this same thing, for those who have always believed that America is and was a country based on the christian faith how will they now be able to stand behind a man who clearly believes in an another gospel? It is interesting also that so many who come out against Obama and speak about his lack of christian belief and his ties to the Muslim religion now find themselves having to support a man who openly embraces another JESUS??

I wonder if the debate will move to a more secular area now?? Neither is a christian so unless some do in fact compromise and call Mormonism christian then voting based on faith of the candidate is not an issue...right?

God Bless
mj

sermonindex Apr 21, 2012

Hi Maryjane, it is an interesting topic. Will American Christians accept a man who totaly rejects the Biblical Jesus and denies that Jesus is God? I believe this will be a first and another sign of the direction of the country...........bro Frank

sermonindex Apr 21, 2012

America is not an empire

No one is eating the food of Babylon.

everyday and in everyway, hear the Words of the LORD:

"And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?”

"And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months.

It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming His Name and His Dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven.

Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation,

and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.

If anyone has an ear, let him hear:

Revelations 13:4-9

that is the first 'beast"...then comes the SECOND

"Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon.

It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people,

and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived.

And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain.

Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead,

so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name.

This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666".

Revelations 13:11-18

forget the 'commentaries'...the 'seminaries'. the 'grayheads' who TELL YOU WHAT TO THINK......EAT THIS WORD, in the Holy Ghost, and pray for wisdom from on High, because in the blink of an eye,. all delusion will be lifted, when you realize to your grief, you live in babylon, WE live in babylon, let not one saint be fooled.